Uthappa, the batsman

He started off playing cricket at the Karnataka Institute of Cricket, Bangalore, then known as the Frank Tyson Cricket Academy. He was said to be a fat little kid then, eager to play but simply not fit enough. His mother was concerned about his fitness and whether it would let him continue with the game. Then there was an inspirational effort by himself and his coach.

His coach in those times, Mr.Irfan Sait has – till today - a great amount of dedication towards the game of cricket. This dedication results in so much hard work that he can build a strong player, without the player having to offer much. If the player has as much dedication as his coach does, success is almost a guarantee.

It is this dedication that made a once stout Robin a completely fit cricketer. Robin himself worked hours and hours to get him fit both physically and technically. All this effort is seen as results today, with Robin in India colours.

A naturally attacking batsman, Robin Uthappa has a great amount of strength in his forearms resulting in even the shortest of short arm jabs travelling long distances. That is just one of Robin’s positive traits. Some others are; he is cool in every situation; he puts in great amounts of effort; he exploits all he has to the greatest extent; he is dedicated and determined. The list goes on.

He had hardly batted down the order until he played for India. In England, Dravid sent him in the lower middle order and Uthappa adapted to this role with ease. He won a thriller for India there and played many a useful knock between England and yesterday. Yesterday’s innings in the 7^th ODI against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium, Bombay was a clear example of how Robin just played his own game, unperturbed by the horrible situation the Indian batting line up was in. He played on, got his 47, brought some stability to the batting, but fell a little early. Had he batted longer, his innings would have been appreciated to a great extent.

He has batted just as the team wanted him to in the number 6 and number 7 positions. Knowing the Indian cricket team’s ways, this could be a bad sign for Robin. If they persist with him at number eight, he will not get enough time at the crease. He will execute his role properly but will not get to make the big score. Furthermore, Robin will find it difficult to become a Michael Bevan as it is rarely that as an Indian number 8, you come in with a good platform set. The Indian number 8 is usually the saviour rather than the finisher.

This ‘saviour’ needs to bat in a particular manner which hinders his personal style. Robin should not be looked at as a finisher or a pinch hitter simply because he can be both as and when he chooses to. In the domestic circuit, he is an accomplished opener and cannot be brought down the order.

A better role has to be found for Robin Uthappa. This role will hinder his progress both short term and long term. Unless he somehow manages to score a century, he will be phased out of the team as was done with Mohammad Kaif. Kaif always came in at numbers 6 or 7 and had to play with a very specific style.

This should not happen to Uthappa as he is a player for the future. This fact may be able to save him as he may have to replace one of the seniors at the top of the order. Let’s hope that happens quickly.-BS